Fire-escape.



No. 744,094. PATENTED NOV. ,17, 1903. G. A. 'EET00T EIEE ESCAPE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 28, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

1 9i humus UNITED STATES Patented November 1*), 190a.

enoReEA. NETCOTT, or MONTIOELLO, town.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,094, dated November 17,1903.

Application filed April 28, 1903. Serial No. 154,663. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. Nnroorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monticello, in the county of Jones and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fire-escape embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation" of the same. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with one of the covering-plates removed.

1 and 2 are the side pieces of my improved fire-escape, the lower ends of which are provided with elongations 3, connected together by means of a pin or stud 4, to which a snaphook 5 is secured. The upper ends of the side pieces are prolonged to form extensions 6, to be hereinafter referred to.

7 is a drum fixed stationary by means of bolts 8 to the side pieces 1, the bolts 8 being, through a flange 9, integral with said drum. The drum is of a width sufficient to practically fill the space between the two side members 1 and 2.

10 is a shaft revolubly mounted in the side pieces'l and 2, one end of which is provided with a winding-key 11.

12 is a flat steel tape, wire, or other suspending means wound upon the shaft 10, one end of the tape being rigidly keyed to said shaft.

13 is a hook secured to the free end of the tape outside of the sides 1 and 2.

14 represents idle rollers over which the tape 12 is adapted to pass, said rollers being journaled between the side members 1 and 2, as clearly shown in the several views.

15 is a crank jonrnaled in the top extension 6 and positioned between the members 1 and 2, said crank being provided with a. lever 16 integral therewith, to which one end of thecoil-spring 17 is connected, the other end of the coil-spring being rigidly secured to the side member 2 on the outside thereof.

18 is a brake-band positioned around the fixed drum 7 and over the steel tape 12, one end of the brake-band being secured to the crank-arm 15, while the other end is secured to the fixed post 19 on the side of the drum opposite to the crank-arm.

20 is a belt (broken away) of any suitable material adapted to be secured around the waist of the user.

The operation of this device is as follows: The book 13 is adapted to be secured to the window-sill or to any heavy piece of furniture, and the snap-hook 5 secured to a can vas or other suitable belt which has been fastoned around the body, the apparatus being secured at the waist directly in front of the person. The descent will not begin until the friction-band 18 is released by the hand of the person, when he may lower himself to any point within the length of the steel tape at any rate of speed or stop at anyindicated point by simply releasing the friction lever 16, whereupon the spring 17 will immediately revolve the crank 15, thus drawing upon the brake-band 18, thereby clamping the same firmly between it and the'brakedrum 7, as will be readily understood. The crank 15 will bind the steel tape 12 by contact therewith, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

As the tape 12. is reeled 0d it passes over the revolving post 14, thence around the drum 7 and under the other revolving post 14 to the book 13. When it is desired to descend, the lever 16 is raised against the tension of the spring 17, thereupon loosening the brakeband 18 and moving the crank-arm 15 away from .the tape 12, whereupon the tape is free stationary drum, 2. metal tape wound therein and passing around the same, of a brakeband secured around the said drum with one end anchored, and a crank-arm secured to the other end of the brake band and normally holding it in braking position on the tape and drum.

3. In a fire-escapa'the combination with a stationary drum, a metal tape wound therein and passing around the same, an idle pulley oted between the side plates and attached to the other end of the brake-band, a lever integral with the crank-arm and a springholding the said arm and band normally in fric tional contact with the tape, and idle rollers over which the tape passes.

The foregoing specification signed this 16th 20 day of April, 1903.

GEORGE A. NETCOTT.

Witnesses:

H. M. CARPENTER, WILLIAM LSTUHLER. 

